Retirement | Empowered Financial Strategies

Where will your retirement money come from? If you’re like most people, qualified-retirement plans, Social Security, personal savings and investments are expected to play a role. Once you have estimated the amount of money you may need for retirement, a sound approach involves taking a close look at your potential retirement-income sources.

Perception vs. Reality

There’s an alarming difference between perception and reality for current and future retirees.

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Retirement and Quality of Life

Asking the right questions about how you can save money for retirement without sacrificing your quality of life.

IRA Withdrawals that Escape the 10% Tax Penalty

The list of IRA withdrawals that may be taken without incurring a 10% early penalty has grown.

How to Retire Early

Retiring early sounds like a dream come true, but it’s important to take a look at the cold, hard facts.

Retirement Plan Choices for Small Businesses

Retirement choices can feel intimidating. Choosing the right strategy can make all the difference.

Is a Variable Annuity Right for Me?

Pundits go on and on about how “terrible” or “wonderful” annuities are, but they never talk about if annuities are right.

Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know

Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.

Healthcare Costs That Catch Retirees Off Guard

An article on three healthcare costs that often catch retirees off guard.

Retirement Traps to Avoid

Beware of these traps that could upend your retirement.

How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?

Knowing the rules may help you decide when to start benefits.

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What Rate Would I Need to Earn on My Savings?

Work backwards from your savings goal to find the rate of return you'd need to get there.

Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k)

Compare Roth and traditional 401(k) options to see which may work better for your situation.

Emergency Fund Calculator

Find out how large your emergency fund should be based on your monthly expenses.

How Much Do I Need To Retire?

How much is enough to retire? It depends on your lifestyle, timeline, and more. Use this calculator to get a personalized est

Estimate Your RMD

Calculate your required minimum distribution amount based on your account balance and age.

Annuity Comparison

Compare annuity options to see how each one could affect your long-term income outlook.

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Risk Tolerance: What’s Your Style?

Learn about what risk tolerance really means in this helpful and insightful video.

Should You Tap Retirement Savings to Fund College?

There are three things to consider before dipping into retirement savings to pay for college.

How to Bake a Pie-R-A

Roth IRAs are tax-advantaged differently from traditional IRAs. Do you know how?

Leaving Your Lasting Legacy

Want to do more with your wealth? You might want to consider creating a charitable foundation.

Timing Your Retirement

This short video illustrates the importance of understanding sequence of returns risk.

Retirement Plan Detectives

Watch this fun video for tips on how to search for missing money.